Parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may want to monitor their kids' diet, as those with the disorder are more likely to grow up obese than those without the condition, a recent feature on NBC News says.

The long-term study co-authored by Dr. F. Xavier Castellanos, a professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at New York University, studied 222 boys (111 boys with ADHD and 111 without it) for an average of 33 years.

They noted that many who were diagnosed with the disorder during their younger years were heavier than their counterparts, with an average body mass index of 30.1 and an obesity rate of 41.4 percent.

Researchers believe that the high obesity rates among ADHD patients may be caused by symptoms of the disorder. "People with ADHD have a terrible time delaying gratification. They're very impulsive and they don't think about the consequences. Their problems with organization may make it more difficult to stay on a regular eating schedule which leaves them more likely to binge eat," says Dr. James McGough, child psychiatrst at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) ADHD clinic.

That's why parents of children with ADHD should be more vigilant about their kids’ eating habits. Paying attention to what and how much your children eat and encouraging them to turn to healthier food types may help curb the obesity trend.

(Photo by ebruli via Flickr Creative Commons)